The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-02-16
TERMINATED At LAST.
AN END OF THE LONG DRAWN
OUT GOODWIN CASE.
A Jury Of Twelve Find Him Not
Guilty. and the Prisoner is
ellen His Liberty.

The leading question from every
PRISON met yesterday was "What
about the jury2" There seemed TO
be a universal idea that verdict in
the Goodwin case was about to be rem
deTed, and public attention centered
around the Courthouse. When court
opened, at 8 o'clock, the Jury were
brought in, and reported no verdict.
Three other cases awaiting trial came
up and were disposed OF, when an ad.
tournament was taken unit 2 o'clock
pm. Representative counsel from
both sides fingered about the building,
anxiously waiting for tidings from the
jury room. 1t was whispered that in
roads had been made on the obstinate
minority side, and grand break to-
Ward unanimiiy would more than
likely otcur before the hour to which
recess had been taken.
1--WE HAVE AGREED"
At2 CLOCK Judge DdBose ordere !
the jury brought into court. The
courtroom and halls and corridors
leading thereto we're thickly packed
with people DESTROYS 10 catch the first
announcement OF the result Of their
deliberations. Perfect silence reigned.
Tne abeence of tome OF the counsel
caused short delay, and the apecta'
tors stood in almost breathless ex-
peCtancy while the Rentlemen'were
being sent for. Finally, at 2:l0 O'clock,
al were ready, and the Court pro-
junded the usual inquiry, "Gentle-
men, are you ready to report2" An
affirmative answer was returned, and
Deputy Clerk Hunter took and read
the verdict as follows: ave, the jury,
find the defendant
mot GUILTY"
A great sigh oil relief escaped the
Court, lawye rs and spectators. Col.
j. X. Goodwin, father OF the defendant,
clasped his son in his arms and almost
gave vent TO Tears OF Joy. Counsel
and friends gathered around and ex-
tended congratulations. The prisoner
was thereupon discharged and court |
adjourned until this morning.
In the hall Resell Goodwin, breath
ing tue air OF freedom again, was be- !
sieged at every turn. Many gathered
through idle curiosity TO scan his fea-
lures, but the majority were old time
friends OF the family, and pressed
their way toward him to clasp bis
hand and express qualification at the |
result. Counsellor Wright accom-
panied father and son until they bad
escaped from the building, and ap.
parently felt as much overjoyed at the
verdict as either Of them. 1t required
fully half an hour to gain the street,
and longer period to reach Mr.. God
wins Office on Madison street. From
there the two repaired to their resi-
dence on Elliott street, and the Joy OF
the mother on the reunion was q
teuchlug picture.
THE GENERAL OPINION.
While II seemed to be in the air that
q verdict would be reached yesterday,
the one rendered proved a surprise.
II was difficult for the majority OF peo-
Pile 10 understand Just what process
the jury adopted to disregard the evil
dence introduced by the State. That
the defendant was not guilty Of muir.
der in the frat degree, few would
deny. But on The charge OF the Judge,
explaining that the one count in the
indictment embraced four distinct
charges, the conclusion was, to say the
least, mystiiying. The single COM
ment expressed on all sides, summed
up the popular feeling: OF all sur
prises in the universe, the verdict OF
Jury is the most perplexiDg Only
one view Of the case could operate to
bring about this result, which was,
that the sander was 30 grieylus az TO
justify the killing. * /
now THE JURY STOOD
The Anal verdict OF the jury was
reached on the seventh. ballet. For
ak ballots the members stood eight
for acQuittal, one for n urder in the
first dtgiee, one for voluntary and an
othersior involuntary manelauebter
and one for assault and battery. This
standing remained unchanged until
the seven bal OF, taken after 10 o'clock
yesterday morning. On that vote, as
II by common understanding, tbs
four stubborn jurymen yielded to the
majority, and thus ended their DELHI.
erations. The entire proceedings
were conducted in secrecy, and 1t Is
said that no one knew how his neigh.
Dor voted. An organization was Of
fecled by the election oi j. A. Morrow
ss foreman aud II. Il. Goodlett seore-
tary. A ballot box was Constructed,
aud when vote was ordered the men
went one at time and cas-. their bal
lot. The secretary kept a record Of
the result and anything else OF mo-
ment Arising. These minutes the jury
voted TO des roy, but the secretary
Kicked, and now has them In his pos.
session.
THE JURY.
The personnel of the jury Ia as fol-
lows: Frank OEanne, A, J. Bolton, II.
r Goodlett, J. A. Morrow, j. N.
Douglass, James N. Anderson, p. J.
Hicks r. S. Matthews, T. f. Munroe,
A. h. Surry, A. Brumley, V. II. Sta.
p es. The following interesting facts
are furnished by deputy who spent
NEST Of the time with them: The
combined age of the twelve is $50
wears; youugt 81 80, oldest 80 average,
4i5. Weight, total, 1870 pounds;
ligntest l2i, heaviest lSS; average,
1856 SO Height, 6Sl iest; lowest
feet 8 Inches, tallest b III Ten have
bern married once, two twice and
eleven are now married. One is a
vidower with one child ard the twelve
have toial OF thirty children. Three
hsvs grandchildren. 0ne was born in
france and one in Norway, two ia
Shelby county, one in Fayetle, two in
Alabama, ore in Georgia, one in Ken.
tucky, one in Mis-, ppi and two in
Virginia.
SIDE REMARKS.
ID spite the unusual surprise at the
nature Of the verdc', everyone ieels
greatly relieved that the long aud
tedious trial is terminated. For
strenuous and conscientious efforts Of
oou asel, and unfortunate develop.
meet, II will rank with the most
Noted cises Of the age. For over three
weeks 1t has held public attention al
most TO the exclusion OF everything
elee. The proceedings have filed
fully hundred columns OF the daily
Of the city. and even this
report was bu. com.
No rati velv nv ,af Evnonaia Nayar ha